Toure steps up as Sakho is no longer considered for first-team play

Kolo Toure has promised that he is "ready" to fill the void left by Mamadou Sakho in Thursday's Europa League semi-final against Villarreal.

Sakho failed a random drug test after Liverpool's Europa League game at Manchester United last month and on Saturday the Uefa confirmed that he had tested positive.

Despite not being suspended by the governing body of the club, Liverpool have decided that the 26-year-old will not be considered for first-team duty until the matter is resolved. 

In the mean time, Toure has been told to step up and fill the void. "Of course I will be ready. After the game against Newcastle I am ready mentally," Toure told reporters.

"I think I did good things. I will need to recover, but I will be ready for it."